Overview

The Safe Church Policy and Code of Conduct apply to all interactions between adults in the PCV. Everyone in the PCV has the right to feel safe as they worship God and fellowship with one another. Safe Church aims to ensure that PCV congregations and organisations are places of spiritual, emotional, mental and physical safety for everyone.

In the life of the church, however, issues and circumstances may occur where an adult feels unsafe in any one of these aspects through their interactions with other adults. Examples include where an adult may be a victim of sexual harassment or indecent assault in the church environment. In these and other such situations adults in the PCV may choose to contact the SCU for information, support, advice or assistance in proceeding with a complaint. The SCU is a resource for the PCV in such matters.

The following list includes what sort of situations experienced by adults in the PCV may be described as Safe Church issues. Note that this is not an exhaustive list but is indicative only. If uncertain about a particular circumstance contact the SCU for further clarification.

Bullying

Indecent assault

Sexual harassment

Sexual assault

Rape

Threatening behaviour

Violent behaviour

Assault

Image abuse (also known as "revenge porn")

Illegal sexting

Disclosure and/or allegations of past sexually abusive behaviour with children

Duress

Elder Abuse

Financial Abuse

Fraud

Family or Domestic Violence

Grooming

Stalking

Inappropriate relationships

Dissemination of pornography

Use of online child abuse material

Disclosure of previous convictions for sex offences

Disclosure of being on the Sex Offenders Register

Reportable Conduct

This section outlines the type of conduct, involving adults, that is reportable.

What must be reported

In the context of adult related Safe Church issues conduct or behaviour within the PCV that is classified as criminal under the Victorian Crimes Act (1958) must be reported. If a person is in immediate danger always contact Victoria Police and then contact the SCU to report. If there is no immediate danger but an allegation or evidence is brought that indicates a criminal act has occurred then contact Victoria Police and the SCU. If in doubt or unsure about contacting police then call the SCU in the first instance. The SCU can then follow up as necessary with reporting to police.

Crimes that MUST be reported may include the following:

Indecent assault

Sexual assault (including sex offences against children)

Rape

Threatening or enacting violence

Illegal sexting

Assaults

Stalking

Grooming - including online grooming of children

Accessing and/or disseminating online child abuse material

Note: this is not a definitive list and is only indicative. For further clarification contact the SCU.

Disclosures of past abusive behaviour

If an adult in the church makes a disclosure that they have sexually abused a child in the past, whether they were under 18 years of age or not, and whether the abuse was familial or not, this is not information that the listener can keep to themselves. This kind of disclosure must be reported to SCU, as individuals with sexual abuse behaviour in their background are understood as individuals who carry risk to the safety of children.

“There is a tendency to minimise or dismiss young people's sexually abusive behaviour as experimentation or play, or as a 'phase' that will pass with age…Such minimisation belies the seriousness of the abuse and the harm that is caused to the victims…[There are well-established] clear boundaries about what constitutes sexual abuse by young people - coercive or forceful sexual behaviour with children (or with peers) is always abusive, and should not be regarded as 'normal' adolescent behaviour.” (‘Young People who sexually abuse: Key Issues’ by Cameron Boyd and Leah Bromfield, 2006, Australian Institute of Family Studies)

When it comes to these kinds of disclosures it is no longer the case that church leaders can keep such information to themselves and take no action in the form of risk management measures. When church leaders know such things about people in the church and take no risk management measures churches become places where children are at greater risk from sexual abuse. This approach led to thousands of children being sexually abused in churches across Australia. Further, legal duty of care and specific Victorian legislation make this approach such that the Church will be legally exposed.

It should be noted that disclosure and risk management are not inherently inconsistent with pastoral care and ministry if the process is handled well and with compassion.

What may be reported

The following list gives examples of the kind of conduct and behaviour that may be reported or be the subject of complaints to the SCU. Note that this is not a definitive list but rather indicative. Contact the SCU for further clarification or to discuss any concerns or complaints. SCU may also be contacted in regards to these issues as a place for resourcing or referral.

Adult behaviour that may be reported:

Bullying

Inappropriate relationships

Misuse or abuse of authority

Professional misconduct

Suspicion of grooming or stalking

Family or domestic violence

Spiritual abuse

Financial Abuse

Elder Abuse

Sexual harassment

Conduct, behaviour or speech that is sexually threatening or inappropriate

Adult Disclosure Process

It is possible for any of the following to occur:

You become aware of an abusive situation relating to an adult

An adult discloses they are experiencing and/or have experienced abuse

An adult confesses to abuse

In the context of adult related Safe Church issues conduct or behaviour within the PCV that is classified as criminal under the Victorian Crimes Act (1958) must be reported.

If a person is in immediate danger always contact Victoria Police and then contact the SCU to report. If there is no immediate danger but an allegation or evidence is brought that indicates a criminal act has occurred then contact Victoria Police and the SCU. If in doubt or unsure about contacting police then call the SCU in the first instance. The SCU can then follow up as necessary with reporting to police.

In situations where you become aware of abuse it is extremely important that you do not compromise the situation in any way. The following disclosure process for adult-related abuse situations is intended to ensure that we hear the allegation and take appropriate immediate action to ensure the safety of those involved without compromising the evidence.

What to do if an adult discloses abuse

Listen, listen, listen…and do not add anything.

As far as possible, only ascertain the gist of the allegation. Obtain appropriate details while being aware that at this early stage it is not appropriate to probe too deeply. Ask what can be done to make them feel safe.

Reassure them that they have done the right thing in telling you.

Provide details of what you will do now – namely, support them and contact the SCU.

Make notes of what was said and report – to the Victoria Police if it is urgent or to the SCU immediately – 0499 090 449.

Some things to remember:

Do not compromise the situation by making comments, giving advice or adding to the allegations

Do not make a judgement about whether you think an allegation is true at this early stage

Follow the process outlined in the above steps

Do not be under the misapprehension that by treating an allegation with compassion you are prejudicing the rights of an alleged offender. This is not the case.

ELDER ABUSE

As the population ages, and the number of older people rises, it is expected that elder abuse will increase, with a greater number of older people in need of support or advice. Growing older can result in shrinking social and friendship networks, reduced access to information, reduced capacity to keep up to date with change, and loss of economic options. These factors can make people vulnerable - especially those in the 70-plus age group. Elder abuse may happen within churches and Christian communities when a older person forms a relationship with a younger person who begins by helping and assisting them, but then moves into abusive behaviour. An older person attending a church could reveal a situation to a church leader or friend that leads to concerns for their well-being from an abuse perspective.

Elder abuse takes many forms, ranging from criminal acts (such as physical assault, mistreatment and neglect) through to coercive behaviour and exploitation. Sometimes it occurs on the continuum of long-standing patterns of physical or emotional abuse within a family. It can also be the result of stressful situations, such as changes in living arrangements and personal relationships, which can occur due to increasing frailty. Typically, someone known or trusted by, or in a close relationship with, the older person carries out the elder abuse.

Because it is seen as private, it is understandable that a number of older people have difficulty raising the issue. The abuse and neglect of older people may therefore be under-recognised or remain an unspoken problem. If a situation arises within a church setting where a person has concerns about elder abuse the Safe Church Unit can be contacted. Further helpful information is available at seniorsrights.org.au

How To Make A Report

The Safe Church Unit is available as a first point of contact for reports that meet the criteria outlined above. The Safe Church Unit commits to treating all reports with the utmost discretion and seriousness.